But names and professions set too many limits for Williams, who
is now known to audiences as B.Slade. And that way of looking at
the world fits in perfectly for the title role of "The Who's Tommy"
at San Diego Repertory Theatre.

"This is the biggest undertaking I've ever done," said Slade of
the rock opera, written by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff (which
premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse). "People know I can sing, but
they may not know that I can act. But acting has always been my
biggest passion and music came second."

The son of a Pentecostal preacher, Slade hit it big as the edgy
gospel singer Tonex (pronounced Toe-nay), winning eight Steller
Awards and receiving two Grammy nominations. But all that stopped
when he came out. He still preaches and he still sings gospel, but
he started looking for other ways to use his passion for
performing. He appeared in San Diego Musical Theatre's "Dreamgirls"
and in "The Princess and the Black-Eyed Pea" at San Diego Rep. The
latter lead to this production.

"(Rep artistic director) Sam Woodhouse wanted us to work
together," said Slade.

"When he suggested it, I was wary that I might bite off more
than I could chew. But I really identified to the character of
Tommy. I was once deaf, dumb and blind to the outside world because
of the way that I was raised in a hyper-bubble. And I've recently
found freedom and my own personal growth. So I see the parallels to
my own life."

"The Who's Tommy" tells the story of a 4-year-old boy who is
traumatized by seeing his father kill his mother's lover. He goes
deep inside himself, never talking, hearing or speaking ---- until
he discovers a pinball machine. That discovery not only transforms
him into a pinball champion, but also a spiritual guru.

Slade underwent a similar transformation. First he changed his
name after watching 1998's "Velvet Goldmine," which chronicled the
life of rocker Brian Slade.

"He reinvented himself from a folk singer to a rock star,"
recalled Slade. "I saw the only way to move forward and break away
was to start over. I knew I had enough heart and talent to start
again. I knew that I could reach more people as B.Slade than I
could as Tonex. It was a scary move to make, but it was the best
thing that could happen to me. I couldn't have done 'Tommy' as
Tonex because of its themes."

This month he's releasing an album titled "Diesel." He hopes to
workshop a musical based on his life at the Apollo Theater in New
York City this fall, with Patti LaBelle playing his mother.

"There are so many roles I want to take on, roles that speak to
me," he said.

"This show is something that's not like anything I've ever done.
It's helping me grow and allowed me to discover new parts of
myself. Now I'm ready to take off."